When to switch to toddler bed?

Mary - posted on 01/31/2011

I'm also considering switching my son (14 Months) into a big boy bed. I don't think I'm going to waste the money on a toddler bed since it wont last but only a couple years if that. My son is already very tall and I'm sure he's going to keep growing fast so I think we're going to go ahead and invest in a twin or full bed for him and keep it on a low or platform style bed so he can easily climb on and off. This way he can grow into the bed and it will last him a long time. That's just what we're considering at this point.



The reason we're thinking about the transition is we are planning on having another baby this year (...he or she will need the crib:) and I want our boy to already be comfortably situated in his new bed. Any suggestions about making the transition? :)

Sherri - posted on 01/31/2011

If they are not crawling out then their is no need to switch them. None of mine were switched until 2/12-3yrs. Also toddler beds are a racket all mine went straight into twin beds at that point.

Kelsey - posted on 01/31/2011

i switched my daughter at 12 months she started to have no interest in sleeping in her crib she would just scream and started not sleeping through the night. the Dr said it was due to her feeling trapped so we tried the toddler bed with an extra rail that you usually put on a twin to fill in the extra opening and she loved it. now shes 2 and we moved the extra rail and shes doing just fine... but it all depends on your child if he is feeling comfortable in his crib then its up to you on trying to switch

Jessica - posted on 01/24/2011

I would not be in a hurry to switch in a toddler bed unless you think there is a safety risk, such as the child trying to climb out. I have had friends not switch until there child was 3. I have an 18 month old and see no reason to switch to a toddler bed. He is safe in his crib and does not try to climb out. Your child is contained in a crib were as a toddler bed nap time and bed time could be very difficult because they can easily get out of bed. but if you feel your child is unsafe in his or her crib for sure switch. it is not worth the risk. good luck

Brianne - posted on 01/23/2011

You pretty much switch them when you start to worry if they are going to climb out of there crib and get hurt. I switched my son the same month he turned two.

Sarah - posted on 01/23/2011

I'm tempted to switch my 16 month old to a toddler bed just to see how he does with it. He loves sleeping in my bed lol.

Nichole - posted on 01/23/2011

I switched my son at 16 months because of his size and I knew if he tried he'd be able to climb out. He's done great in his big boy bed.

Bonnie - posted on 01/23/2011

We didn't notice any signs with our kids, we just did it. Although, a lot of people say if your child climbs out of their crib, it is probably a good idea to switch to a toddler bed. We switched our first child at 20 months and our second at 18 months. They both took to it right away with no problems.

Adrienne - posted on 01/23/2011

We switched our 3.5 year old at 15 months old because we needed the crib for his baby brother. Who was 3 months at the time. Then our 2.5 year old was switched at 15 months as well. We'll be doing the same with our 10 month old because its a good age we found plus we'll be needing the crib for baby #4 he'll be around 3 months old when my 10 month old is around 15 months. My oldest at first would rather go fall asleep on the floor or stuff animals before he would fall asleep in his toddler bed. We would just pick him up and put him into bed and he finally started falling asleep in bed. Good Luck! :)

Lisa - posted on 01/23/2011

We switched our 4 year old when she was about 20 months because we needed the crib for our second child that was on the way and we wanted her to be adjusted to her new bed before the baby came. Our son went into a toddler bed at 10 months old because he refused to sleep in a crib and would only sleep in his playpen which he was fast outgrowing.

Ever kid is different!